Jaiin Day 3

Blog

Sunday, Nov. 1st Sea Day

 

Galveston seems to be an old gulf harbor town that is a little worn, a bit gritty but surprising likeable for its attempt to be like New Orleans.

 

Yesterday when we sailed out, it struck me that leaving Galveston is not what anyone would call beautiful. You start off surrounded by a massive cruise terminal, endless parking lots, warehouses, and every piece of port machinery known to mankind — very industrial, not scenic.

 

But once the ship makes a long, slow turn toward the Gulf, everything shifts. The channel stretch is so much nicer than the dock: more coastal, more open, and full of wildlife. Pelicans were literally flying right alongside us like they were our personal escort team.  And then, the moment you clear the channel, it becomes a completely different world — wide blue water, warm Gulf breeze, and yesterday we lucked into a golden sunset. We watched it from the Observation Lounge, panoramic windows glowing, sitting in a comfy chair with an equally comfy glass of wine.

 

Today is a sea day we will be cruising through the Gulf of America to Mexico some 600 miles to reach our first port, Cozumel. As I have probably said a zillion times, I like sea days they are relaxing, you pick and choose when and where you go and door chose to do nothing and read that $20.00 book you picked up at the thrift store for a buck. It is the sea days where you really begin to appreciate the cruise ship and an important part of the cruise, the food.

 

We’ve been cruising for about 20 years, and it really feels like cruise‑ship dining — and even nice restaurant dining — just isn’t what it used to be. Back on our first cruise, the waiters would march in at the end of dinner with baked Alaska under silver lids, parade through the dining room, stop at each table, lift the lid, and Wa-la — flames, drama, the whole show. It felt special. It felt memorable.

 

Now? Prices are up, quality is down, and that “wow” factor has faded. Everyone’s dealing with the same problems: rising costs, staffing shortages, and menus built around safe, cheap crowd‑pleasers. So, everything ends up tasting… fine. Not bad. Not great. Just okay. Both cruises and restaurants aim for “no complaints” instead of excellence, which is why the food feels mild, predictable, and a little boring.

Excellence is expensive. Mediocrity is profitable.

 

So, what did we have for dinner last night? The popular dishes everyone else probably ordered too. shrimp cocktail, the lamb chop for Jay, steak for me. These days lobster or ‘surf and turf’ is not offered every night on a cruise; it is only available at the specialty restaurants you pay extra for.

 

This morning Jay ordered Eggs Benedict — very fancy — and it arrived beautifully plated. He loved it. But honestly, when you break it down, it’s an English muffin, an under‑cooked egg, a slice of ham, and a sauce someone had to whip into existence. The only truly “fancy” part is the hollandaise, which is basically warm butter beaten into submission.

And that’s the magic: we would never make this at home. Whipping up hollandaise on a Wednesday morning? Or a Sunday? Absolutely not. That’s never happening in our kitchen.

 

Maybe that’s exactly why cruising feels indulgent. We get to eat things we’d never bother making ourselves. Too much work, too much fuss — and that’s what makes meals fun out at sea. Someone else is waiting on you, pampering you, reminding you that you’re on vacation and your only job is to enjoy it.

 

So tonight, after dinner were off to the show Motor City Moves supposably a high energy tribute to Detroit iconic sound.

 

Tell you about it tomorrow.

 

Jain Day 2

Blog

Saturday October 31^st Mexico Cruise

 

Yesterday, after landing at Hobby Airport in Houston, we grabbed a cab and headed toward our hotel. Our driver, Herb, was right on time. We actually found him through online reviews — who knew taxi drivers had Yelp‑style fan clubs? — and he lived up to every glowing comment. reliable, friendly, and apparently the kind of driver who’ll even swing by Buc‑ee’s so passengers can stock up on snacks for the hour‑long ride to Galveston. We didn’t feel the need to stop for Buc‑ee’s sweet tea or that famous Beaver Nugget stuff — supposedly caramel‑coated corn puffs that Texans swear are perfect for road‑trip munching — but Herb still got us to Galveston to the Tremont Hotel without a hitch.

 

The Tremont House is a restored historic hotel in the middle of Galveston’s Strand District. The rooms are simple, comfortable, and have that “boutique historic” vibe instead of the usual chain‑hotel copy‑paste. The best part is the location — you can walk to restaurants, shops, and the cruise terminal without dealing with shuttles or chaos.

 

After a free breakfast we rolled our suitcases about a block to the Norwegian VIVA. The ship is beautiful. Our Haven Penthouse is, too. The Haven is NCL’s quiet little bubble: private elevators, butlers, and lounges with their own restaurant, bar, pool, and sun deck. This is what I call a Vacation with a capital V. It costs more — and yes, it’s worth it.

 

As with any first day on a cruise, people‑watching becomes the ship’s most unpublished activity, everyone does but nobody admits to. The characters are already in full bloom the moment you step onboard.

 

You’ve got Deck Walker already doing laps with the intensity of someone training for a triathlon. The Chair Napper, asleep in a lounger at 9 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, the Overly Friendly Guy, determined to learn where you’re from, what you do, your cat’s name, and whether you’ve ever considered moving to Arizona. The Glamour Couple, dressed like they’re attending the Oscars even at breakfast — she’s in sequins, he’s in linen, both wearing sunglasses indoors. Of course, to balance those out the people there are those blissfully unaware that “smart casual” does not mean swim trunks and a tank top. And lastly of course, the ‘I Paid for this cruise lady’ loudly reminding everyone she intends to get her money’s worth while arguing with a bartender about the drink package or always at the concierge desk asking for something, anything.

 

And if you really want entertainment, head to the buffet. That’s where people‑watching goes from a casual pastime to a full‑blown art form. Every deck, lounge, and buffet line turns into a stage of characters who don’t even know they’re performing — that’s entertainment. Enough said. We’re seasoned cruisers at this point; we know what makes us happy. Give us easy luxury and comfortable surroundings, and we slip into cruise rhythm instantly. Meanwhile, we stay endlessly entertained by the people who haven’t figured it out yet.

 

It’s Halloween on the VIVA and many guests are dressed up. Some probably won’t look much different tomorrow morning.

 

See you tomorrow.

Jain Day 1

Blog

Friday October 30^th Mexico Cruise

 

We’re off again… yes, another vacation, another trip. This time we’re heading back to the future on a short cruise to Cozumel, Roatán, and Costa Maya, Mexico. Sure, we’ve been there, done that — but have we really?

 

After visiting 130 countries, we love to brag that we’ve “seen it all,” but the truth is… not quite. The more we travel, the more we realize it’s never just about the destination. It’s about the “going”. It’s breaking out of routine. It’s good for us and there is always something new to see, even if you have been there before. Whether it’s just having a simple cup of coffee or a glass of wine in a different place, it somehow feels a little more exciting, a little more enticing, different from your comfortable everyday surroundings at home.

 

We picked this trip for one very honest reason: we had a $1,200 Norwegian Cruise Line credit burning a hole in our pocket. It was one of those “use it or lose it” situations, so of course we used it. The credit came from an earlier sailing where fares suddenly dropped because a handful of cabins didn’t sell — mostly thanks to a streak of dramatic cruise headlines that made nervous travelers skittish. You know the type: rare events turned into viral panic posts.

• Overboard stories — heavily shared, scary-sounding, statistically uncommon.
• Whale strike — tragic for the whale, yes, but the ship didn’t sink.
• Hurricane reroutes — cancellations, detours, and cranky Facebook groups.
• Red Sea piracy detours — no pirates, just precautions and dramatic commentary.
• GI outbreaks and the new, very rare hantavirus cluster — serious but extremely contained, despite headlines making it sound like a movie plot about rodent‑borne doom.

All of it is tailor‑made for sensational coverage. None of it made cruising dangerous — it just made cruising sound dangerous, maybe to some people. But for us? Well, our philosophy most of the time is you can stay home and maybe get sick or die, or you can venture out and maybe get sick or die. At least on a cruise, you get a balcony and a buffet.

 

We’re off again — flying from Reno to Houston and then making our way down to Galveston, Texas. “Galveston, Oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowing” …” it’s our big chance find out why Glen Campbell was singing about. At least we’re in first class, which makes the whole thing feel slightly less like a punishment. Bigger seats, a little more legroom, and maybe even a chance at some shuteye. Plus, a flight attendant who actually has time to check on us instead of sprinting past like they’re in a marathon.

 

Jay will be sitting close enough to the cockpit to pretend he’s “on standby,” just in case the pilots suddenly need help. Back in the 1970s, when he applied to be a Western Airlines pilot, he actually got real 737 training — learning the controls, practicing takeoffs and landings, the whole behind‑the‑scenes pilot routine. Of course, today’s planes are basically spaceships compared to what he trained on… but don’t worry. Jay is fully prepared to save the day with his vintage skills.

 

So, I’ll end this story not by telling you what we did today or what we ate, but how we’re feeling — in a nutshell, it’s nice to go, because we know when we get home it’ll be nice to return. That’s the rhythm of travel: a little chaos, a little comfort, and the reminder that both leaving and coming back have their own kind of magic.

 

ain Day 1

Blog

Friday October 30^th Mexico Cruise

 

We’re off again… yes, another vacation, another trip. This time we’re heading back to the future on a short cruise to Cozumel, Roatán, and Costa Maya, Mexico. Sure, we’ve been there, done that — but have we really?

 

After visiting 130 countries, we love to brag that we’ve “seen it all,” but the truth is… not quite. The more we travel, the more we realize it’s never just about the destination. It’s about the “going”. It’s breaking out of routine. It’s good for us and there is always something new to see, even if you have been there before. Whether it’s just having a simple cup of coffee or a glass of wine in a different place, it somehow feels a little more exciting, a little more enticing, different from your comfortable everyday surroundings at home.

 

We picked this trip for one very honest reason: we had a $1,200 Norwegian Cruise Line credit burning a hole in our pocket. It was one of those “use it or lose it” situations, so of course we used it. The credit came from an earlier sailing where fares suddenly dropped because a handful of cabins didn’t sell — mostly thanks to a streak of dramatic cruise headlines that made nervous travelers skittish. You know the type: rare events turned into viral panic posts.

• Overboard stories — heavily shared, scary-sounding, statistically uncommon.
• Whale strike — tragic for the whale, yes, but the ship didn’t sink.
• Hurricane reroutes — cancellations, detours, and cranky Facebook groups.
• Red Sea piracy detours — no pirates, just precautions and dramatic commentary.
• GI outbreaks and the new, very rare hantavirus cluster — serious but extremely contained, despite headlines making it sound like a movie plot about rodent‑borne doom.

All of it is tailor‑made for sensational coverage. None of it made cruising dangerous — it just made cruising sound dangerous, maybe to some people. But for us? Well, our philosophy most of the time is you can stay home and maybe get sick or die, or you can venture out and maybe get sick or die. At least on a cruise, you get a balcony and a buffet.

 

We’re off again — flying from Reno to Houston and then making our way down to Galveston, Texas. “Galveston, Oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowing” …” it’s our big chance find out why Glen Campbell was singing about. At least we’re in first class, which makes the whole thing feel slightly less like a punishment. Bigger seats, a little more legroom, and maybe even a chance at some shuteye. Plus, a flight attendant who actually has time to check on us instead of sprinting past like they’re in a marathon.

 

Jay will be sitting close enough to the cockpit to pretend he’s “on standby,” just in case the pilots suddenly need help. Back in the 1970s, when he applied to be a Western Airlines pilot, he actually got real 737 training — learning the controls, practicing takeoffs and landings, the whole behind‑the‑scenes pilot routine. Of course, today’s planes are basically spaceships compared to what he trained on… but don’t worry. Jay is fully prepared to save the day with his vintage skills.

 

So, I’ll end this story not by telling you what we did today or what we ate, but how we’re feeling — in a nutshell, it’s nice to go, because we know when we get home it’ll be nice to return. That’s the rhythm of travel: a little chaos, a little comfort, and the reminder that both leaving and coming back have their own kind of magic.

 

Bermuda Stories

Dear Blog

By popular demand, we have figured out a way to include photos in our travel stories. The link here displays the compiled version of our stories sent from Bermuda with the addition of photos.

 

BermudaBooklet

 

 

Bermuda Final

Dear Blog

Sept. 1^st Tuesday Day 8 Bermuda

 

Today is our last full day in Bermuda before we take the ugh plane ride home — though at least the connection going back is better than the one that brought us here. Small victories.

We decided to spend the day with a day pass at the Newstead Belmont Hills Golf & Spa Resort, one of the easiest ways to enjoy amenities you can’t always access on your own. Yes, Bermuda has plenty of public beaches, but once you get there you still end up paying for umbrellas, loungers, and everything else. With a day pass, all of that is taken care of.

What makes Newstead especially nice is how effortless everything feels. Lunch is right on-site — no wandering around looking for food.

It’s steps from the pool, so you can drift over for a leisurely meal and then slide right back into your lounger. The views are gorgeous, giving you a mini escape inside your escape.

We weren’t looking for just another pool — our hotel already has one. We wanted a quiet harborside retreat with peace, views, and that slow, relaxing pool‑day rhythm. For that, the Newstead day pass is absolutely perfect.

One of the best perks is the private ferry shuttle, an easy eight‑minute ride across the harbor. Newstead sits directly opposite Hamilton, close enough to see the skyline but far enough to feel tucked away. The shuttle drops you right at the Hamilton ferry terminal, giving you all the convenience of the city without any of the noise or crowds. And the weather? Bright, sunny, warm — 82 degrees. Truly the perfect temperature for a final Bermuda day.

One of the real joys of travel is meeting new people and having those easy little chit‑chats. It just works—you're on vacation, they're on vacation, and everyone’s in the mood for a good time. Those quick conversations add a little spark to the day.

Being with your spouse around the clock is great, but it doesn’t mean every moment will be filled with profound conversation. Meeting others along the way brings a refreshing balance.

On our first trip to Bermuda, we hit it off with a couple staying at our hotel. She was easy to talk to, and her man friend was nice, reserved, but genuinely interesting. We ended up going on a sunset cruise together and had a great time. He had that dead‑pan warmth—calm, flexible, and not afraid to give an accurate assessment, which made him pretty funny without even trying. At one point he asked, “You’re not one of those couples we get to know and like, and then never hear from again, right?” We laughed and said, “Probably.”

The funny part was that he looked exactly like the Lieutenant Bogomilt who starred with Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop.  Who displayed the same type of character, authoritative without being authoritarian, disciplined without being cold,

principled without being rigid, and honest without being harsh.

We asked him outright if he’d played that lieutenant in the Eddie Murphy movie, and he said, “Nah,” but there was a twinkle in his eye that Jay immediately read as a quiet yes. I took it to mean he’s definitely been asked before. And who knows—like he said, we will never know, because we never saw him again.

We chatted with a few people on this trip without ever learning their names—a couple from Alberta, a couple from Indiana, and a British girl who is one of the rare humans who can actually pull off wearing  a thong bathing suit. I spent way too much time misidentifying everyone around her. I confidently decided her brother was her boyfriend, and the older man sitting next to her was her father. Wrong on both counts. But that’s what we do when we don’t know the story—we just make stuff up.

Travel changes the way you see the world, and even more, the way you see people. The older I get, the more I realize that paradise isn’t usually a just a place—it’s a feeling of connection. And the people you meet along the way have everything to do with that feeling. It reminds me of that guy years ago who asked, “Are you one of those couples we’ll never see or talk to again?” The honest answer was yes. But we’ve never forgotten him.

 

Bermuda Day 7

Dear Blog

 

August 31^st Monday Day 7 Bermuda

 

Yesterday we went to St. George, a small, very old town in Bermuda. Many of the buildings have been here for hundreds of years, and you can easily see the island’s early history just by walking around. It’s the oldest English town in the Americas that people still live in. The town has colorful houses, tiny cobblestone streets, and pretty ocean views.

 

There are two ways to get there from Hamilton: by ferry or by bus. We took the ferry over because it’s the more scenic route, even though it takes a bit longer, and took the bus back since there are more return times than the ferry.

 

We actually had to look up how to ride a bus in Bermuda. We’ve been to 125 countries, navigated ferries, tuk‑tuks, bullet trains, and one questionable camel… yet somehow, we still had to Google how to ride a bus in Bermuda. “Uhm… so do we just… get on … how does this work?  We found out the good news: buses and ferries are $5 for adults, and the U.S. dollar equals the Bermudian dollar. Yes, there are cheaper fares and multi‑day passes, but if you’re going anywhere tourists actually go, it’s usually five bucks. So, we just packed some $5 bills.

 

The rules are simple. Stand by the pink pole the bus goes toward Hamilton, stand by the blue pole the bus goes away from Hamilton. Once by the pole, give the driver a little wave and he will pull over, get in and hand over your $5. And don’t forget to say hello to the driver, the internet insists on this.  Then find a seat and sit your butt down with only what fits on your lap — anything bigger and it’s basically “no bus for you”. When you want off, push the “STOP” button, pretend you’ve known how to do this your whole life and don’t forget to thank the driver as you leave.

 

We spent the whole morning wandering around St. George, weaving through cobblestone lanes, tiny alleyways, old churches, and the quiet forts. It really does feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Jay had printed out a little walkabout guide with all the must‑see spots, which kept us moving — at least until we got thirsty.

We wandered into Wahoo Bistro – the perfect spot to grab a cold beer on the deck overlooking the water. We politely skipped their swordfish bites and famous octopus stew and stuck with a frosty Amstel Light.

Then we found a  pink pole and caught the bus to Crystal Caverns. The caves bus stop was where a crowd of people were waiting to catch the bus back to Hamilton so we knew this must be the way to the place. Besides there was a big sign that says, “Crystal & Fantasy Caves – A Bermuda Landmark” and a tall overhead sign reading “Pedestrian Footpath to the Crystal Caves of Bermuda.”  

 

The caves were discovered in 1907 by two teenage boys chasing a lost cricket ball. When you’re inside, you can imagine how shocking it must have been to stumble into something so vast and untouched. The caves are enormous chambers filled with thousands of slender white stalactites, hanging like chandeliers from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the shore of a crystal clear lake. They look delicate, almost like frozen icicles, but they’ve been forming for millions of years. The caves have soft blue lights that shine on the rock walls. The blue light makes the hanging rock formations look icy, almost like glass. The rocks themselves are white and light gray, so the blue lighting gives the whole cave a gentle, underwater glow.

 

After our tour of the caves we stood by the pink pole once again and took the bus back to Hamiliton where it was officially wine time and we stopped for a bite to eat on our way to bed.

 

It was a good day.